"Hamlin, a town once overrun with rats, its citizens helpless against the onslaught of vermins. It took the cunning, talent and devilishly good looks of one Pied Piper to rid the town of these hairy pests. With a hypnotic melody, he mesmerizes the rats into drowning themselves in the river, and what remained of them were boiled in a vat of oil. But such a feat does not come without a price and the town of Hamlin refused to pay. Rightfully angry, the Pied Piper did to the children as he did to the rats, sans the drowning and boiling of course. With his music, he led the children out of town. But he had left a small note declaring that he would be returning a hundred years hence to collect his payment.
"But time has a way of making people forget. Once more, Hamlin is filled with children, and its citizens have forgotten the Pied Piper. This lack of respect did not sit well with him (how would you like to be forgotten) and once again Hamlin lost their children.
"This went on over the millenium, until the Pied Piper's most recent visit. He returned to find Hamlin was devoid of all human life. And yet, the streets and buildings remained pristine. As he wandered down the cobblestone path, he came across City Hall with its doors ajar.
"Curiosity getting the better of him, the Pied Piper entered the building. What he saw inside was of no importance, save for the deed to the town of Hamlin. With a bright grin, the Pied Piper would be known as Mayor Piper. And the first order of business is to repopulate the town.
"Any questions?" Mayor Piper asked, glancing at the three women before him that he had gathered.
Leaning against the side of the open door, a young woman with blonde hair and gothic-style clothing raised her hand, clearing her throat. "How exactly is the town going to be repopulated?"
The Pied Piper eyed her for a moment before answering. "We could use the children I lured away... except there's a slight problem."
"Which is...?" The woman's eyes narrowed.
"I lost them."
The blonde blinked in disbelief. "...How?"
"Well, we were at the crossroads, you know? The point where all Fables, Myths and Fairy Tales meet? As talented as I am and as great as my lung capacity is, I had to rest. The moment I stopped playing my song the children ran off into the various realms. And to be frank, chasing after all of them wouldn't be worth the trouble. I figured that they could just live there and blend in with their surroundings." Mayor Piper shrugged.
"So how are we supposed to find the children?" A redhead muttered, whom was known as Kanth. She glanced to Huni and the blonde (known as Fable) in confusion.
"I don't know, that's your guys' job," he grinned and walked off whistling.
Fable rolled her eyes; she expected as much and knew she couldn't do it on her own - thus, she needed both Huni and Kanth's help. She had enlisted their help a bit ago; Kanth had volunteered her services willingly, while Huni had to be persuaded a bit. To thank them, Fable presented to Kanth a beautiful box with a greek design (of which Kanth completely adored) and to Huni a golden calamansi paperweight (quite wonderful, considering how much Fable praised Huni as a writer). Little did they know that Fable had enchanted these items, inserting a bit of her own magic into them.
Until one morning... Kanth had awoken to find a little boy sitting underneath of a red dragon pelt, acting as if it was his own. He was sitting on the box, acting as if that was his, as well.
"Morning mother," he greeted in a sly voice. Kanth blinked, but didn't say anything else; she was used to such surprises as this, and had long since gotten used to them. All she did was give a warm smile.
Over at Huni's, she was surprised to discover a little girl playing with the paperweight. The two Gaians presented the children to Fable and Mayor Piper and the Mayor cheered in delight, rather loudly, earning strange looks from Fable and Huni, but a mere smirk from Kanth.
"Wonderful! Excellent work, Fable! I knew hiring you was a good idea. Now let me see..." Mayor Piper murmured, "Why... little Tasius, and, dear Flerida, how good to see you again. Welcome back to Hamlin! You two probably don't remember who I am or what happened, which is for the best. But rest assured, you will be taken care of until you both are properly settled in. Isn't that correct, ladies?" The Piper grinned and winked at Kanth and Huni.
Written by Huni Pi, with additions by Kanthu <3
